Black Medicine Coffee Co

4.5 ( 1860 reviews )
Checking... 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM See Hours
£1–10
2 Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DH, United Kingdom
Black Medicine Coffee Co, situated at 2 Nicolson St in Edinburgh, is a vibrant haven for coffee lovers. The café has recently undergone a renovation, featuring a cozy upstairs seating area that enhances its charming atmosphere. Patrons rave about the quality of the coffee, noting its smoothness without the acidic profile that can often deter coffee aficionados. The menu delivers not only superb brews but also delicious offerings like vegan BBQ ciabatta, hearty bagels, and decadent brownies, all celebrated for their fresh and rich flavors. Customer reviews consistently highlight the warmth of the service, with staff going above and beyond to create a welcoming environment. A memorable anecdote involves an older gentleman who, despite sold-out scones, offered to bake them specially for a returning customer the next day. Such personal touches add to the café’s appeal, creating a feeling of community amidst its busy atmosphere. While Black Medicine can get busy, especially during peak times, the consistently friendly service and vibrant ambiance make it a must-visit spot. This café embraces the essence of local charm, making each visit feel like an experience rather than a simple coffee run. With its perfect blend of great food, stellar coffee, and inviting atmosphere, Black Medicine Coffee Co promises to be a cherished destination for both locals and visitors alike.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • No wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Service options
    • Offers delivery
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
    • Good for solo dining
    • Good for working on laptop
  • Offerings
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves healthy options
    • Quick bite
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dessert
  • Amenities
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • Popular with tourists
    • Popular with university students
  • Planning
    • Doesn't accept reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Parking
    • Difficult to find a space
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed

Reviews For Black Medicine Coffee Co

Cindy
Jun 2,2025
Newly renovated with nice seating area upstairs. They also still have the downstairs seating area with study time package (if I’m not mistaken its for 5 with selection of tea or filter coffee). Always packed just as usual, and a decent latte.
JLML
May 26,2025
Welcome break from the cold. Felt at home and warm. Coffee wasn't acidic. There were chocolate chips in every bite of the brownie. The chocolate muffin was big, chocolatey and pillowy. A lovely elder gentleman clad in Christmas cheer chatted with us and found out that we had wanted to try their scones but they were sold out. He offered to bake extras for us the following day. It was such a lovely gesture. Our pick up the next day was made warmer by a young artist who 'did his thing'. And .. our scones were reserved for us! Lovely place. Food and drinks were to our liking. Service was impeccable and personal! Merry Christmas, Black Med! Cheers from Singapore!
Sophie Brown
May 22,2025
Really lovely cafe, and fab coffee! Also had their vegan BBQ ciabatta, which was delicious. Staff were really friendly and welcoming as well, which added to the ambiance. Only in Edinburgh for a short trip but next time I’m here I’ll definitely be back!
Mary Brown
May 8,2025
Absolutely superb coffee shop. Loads of seating up & downstairs. Good range of toasted bagels & cakes available. Excellent atmosphere. Friendly staff. Lovely coffee (and smoothie according to my daughter). Nice to drink somewhere that's not a soleless chain. Made it our first stop of the day, everyday of the festival, once we'd discovered it. Can get very very busy though. But still worth a trip.
hangrydude “hangrydude”
Apr 16,2025
What a find! Black Medicine Coffee Co. really hit the spot. Their coffee was delicious, perfectly brewed and exactly what I needed. Beyond the great drinks, the atmosphere was really vibing and cool, making it a perfect place to relax. A big shout out to the staff too – they were fantastic, super welcoming, and even took the time to give us some excellent local recommendations. I'll definitely be back!
Wendy Law
Apr 14,2025
Absolutely love Black Medicine Coffee! This place is an absolute gem in Edinburgh. Tucked away on Nicolson Street, it’s got this super cozy, rustic vibe with wooden decor and exposed stone walls that make you feel like you’re in a hidden retreat. Whether you’re a student cramming for exams, a freelancer looking for a chill spot to work, or just someone who loves great coffee, this place has you covered. The coffee? Top-notch. They clearly take their beans seriously, and you can taste the difference. Plus, they have an awesome selection of sandwiches, soups, and sweet treats! Oh and I got a smoothie as seen in the photo. Super good! The croissant sandwich was delicious. The vibe is great. Make sure you swing by if you are in the area. Black Medicine is hands down one of my favorite coffee spots in Edinburgh !
S G
Apr 3,2025
Went for a quick coffee and had salted caramel brownie. Delicious! Great service and quality of sweets
Bintang Qanitah
Feb 6,2025
I’d say this coffee shop wins by the vibes! Love the cozy feeling of it whilst being very welcoming and sociable at the same time, if that makes sense. An easy place to hang out with friends or even to do some solitude works

Add a Review

Quality
Location
Price
Space
Service

Location

Appreciated by Others

Shapla Indian Restaurant Inverness
(475 review)
Shapla Indian Restaurant Inverness
  • 2 Castle Rd, Inverness IV2 3AA, United Kingdom
Indian restaurant
+44 1463 241919
T/R's Steaks & More
(976 review)
T/R's Steaks & More
  • 892 Hurst St, Center, TX 75935, United States
Buffet restaurant
+1 936-598-4115
Panda Bowl
(304 review)
Panda Bowl
  • 1213 Wabash Ave, Redlands, CA 92374, United States
chinese restaurant
+1 909-389-0082
Mr. Sushi Americana
(874 review)
Mr. Sushi Americana
  • C. Miguel Lerdo de Tejada 2031, Col Americana, Obrera, 44560 Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
sushi restaurant
+52 33 2001 9761
La Barba Coffee - The Gateway
(259 review)
La Barba Coffee - The Gateway
  • 9 S Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, United States
Cafe
+1 385-429-2401
Artisan Grill
(1130 review)
Artisan Grill
  • 190 Hwy 62 412, Ash Flat, AR 72513, United States
American restaurant
+1 870-751-2034
Macau
(251 review)
Macau
  • 271 Ormeau Rd, Belfast BT7 3GG, United Kingdom
Chinese restaurant
+44 28 9069 1800
T&T: Trucks and Taps, Patio
(215 review)
T&T: Trucks and Taps, Patio
  • 5402 S 108th St, Omaha, NE 68137, United States
Restaurant
Papi's Mex Grill
(794 review)
Papi's Mex Grill
  • 1560 E Champlain Dr #101, Fresno, CA 93720, United States
Restaurant
+1 559-434-1609
Grande Prairie Subaru
(760 review)
Grande Prairie Subaru
  • 11445 104 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0N7, Canada
Subaru dealer
+1 780-513-5340